Modular Scroll Wheel with Integral Detent-Engaging Sprint Tab

1. A modular scroll wheel assembly, comprising: a scroll wheel sized for movement by a finger of a human user having a circumferential surface having regularly spaced regions of alternating height located thereon; and single-piece carriage means for supporting and rotatably holding the scroll wheel, the single-piece carriage means having: wheel well means for defining a wheel well within which the scroll wheel rotates; and integral follower means for maintaining contact with the circumferential surface and for resisting deflection as the scroll wheel rotates.

2. The modular scroll wheel assembly of claim 1 , wherein the scroll wheel further comprises first and second faces, and wherein an opening is defined in the first face so as to expose the circumferential surface.

3. The modular scroll wheel assembly of claim 2 , wherein the carriage means is molded.

4. The modular scroll wheel assembly of claim 3 , wherein: the scroll wheel further comprises an integral axle, and the carriage means further comprises axle guide means for rotatably holding the axle.

5. The modular scroll wheel assembly of claim 4 , wherein the circumferential surface faces radially inward.

6. A modular scroll wheel assembly, comprising: a scroll wheel sized for movement by a finger of a human user having a circumferential surface having regularly spaced regions of alternating height located thereon; and single-piece carriage means for supporting and rotatably holding the scroll wheel, the single-piece carriage means having: wheel well means for defining a wheel well within which the scroll wheel rotates; and integral follower means for maintaining contact with the circumferential surface and for resisting deflection as the scroll wheel rotates, wherein the scroll wheel further comprises first and second faces, and wherein an opening is defined in the first face so as to expose the circumferential surface, wherein the single-piece carriage is molded, wherein the scroll wheel further comprises an integral axle, wherein the single-piece carriage further comprises axle guide means for rotatably holding the axle, wherein the circumferential surface faces radially inward, and wherein the regularly-spaced regions of alternating height comprise a sinusoidally-shaped series of peaks and troughs, and wherein the follower means has substantially no preload when the scroll wheel is rotated to a position in which the follower means is substantially centered within one of the troughs.

7. The modular scroll wheel of claim 6 , wherein the scroll wheel and the carriage means are formed from dissimilar plastic materials.

8. The modular scroll wheel of claim 6 , wherein the scroll wheel further comprises an overmolded rubber-like material forming an outermost circumferential surface.

9. A computer mouse, comprising: a housing sized and configured for manual movement by a user across a surface so as to permit a corresponding movement of a screen object on a computer display, the housing having: a bottom case and an upper case coupled to the bottom case, and at least two depressible buttons movably attached to the upper case; a scroll wheel having a circumferential surface having regularly spaced regions of alternating height located thereon; and single-piece carriage means for rotatably supporting the scroll wheel such that a portion of the scroll wheel extends outside of the housing, the single-piece carriage means having: wheel well means for defining a wheel well within which the scroll wheel rotates, and integral follower means for maintaining contact with the circumferential surface and for resisting deflection as the scroll wheel rotates.

10. The computer mouse of claim 9 , wherein the scroll wheel further comprises first and second faces, and wherein an opening is defined in the first face so as to expose the circumferential surface.

11. The computer mouse of claim 10 , wherein the carriage means is pivotably coupled to the housing, the carriage means further including tab means, the computer mouse further including a switch located within the housing such that external force upon the scroll wheel pivots the carriage means and causes the tab means to activate the switch.

12. The computer mouse of claim 11 , wherein: the scroll wheel further comprises an integral axle, and the carriage means further comprises axle guide means for rotatably hold the axle.

13. The computer mouse of claim 12 , wherein the switch is self-biased.

14. The computer mouse of claim 13 , wherein the circumferential surface faces radially inward.

15. The computer mouse of claim 14 , wherein the regularly-spaced regions of alternating height comprise a sinusoidally-shaped series of peaks and troughs, and wherein the follower means has substantially no preload when the scroll wheel is rotated to a position in which the follower means is substantially centered within one of the troughs.

16. The computer mouse of claim 15 , wherein the scroll wheel and the carriage means are formed from dissimilar plastic materials.

17. The computer mouse of claim 15 , wherein the scroll wheel further comprises an overmolded rubber-like material forming an outermost circumferential surface.

18. The computer mouse of claim 15 , wherein the axle extends beyond at least first and second sides of the carriage means, and further comprising: an optical encoder wheel attached to the axle on a portion thereof extending beyond the at least one of the first and second sides of the carriage means; a light emitting diode located on a first side of the encoder wheel and fixed with respect to the encoder wheel; and a receptor located on a second side of the encoder wheel and fixed with respect to the encoder wheel.

19. The modular scroll wheel assembly of claim 1 , wherein the follower means and the remainder of the carriage means are made of a same material.

20. The computer mouse of claim 9 , wherein the follower means and the remainder of the carriage means are made of a same material.